The ELUL JOURNAL in Quest of Forgiveness and Return

The ELUL JOURNAL in quest of forgiveness and return

Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro, Ph.D.

SH’MA CENTER FOR CONTEMPLATIVE JUDAISM 1 Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION ...... 5

Selichot/Forgiveness ...... 5

Teshuvah/Returning ...... 7

Other Practices ...... 9

Prayer of Intent...... 10

ELUL JOURNAL ...... 11

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be used in any way without the express written permission of the author. CHESHBON HA-NEFESH ...... 100 Publisher: Simply Jewish Foundation PO Box 161084 Miami, FL 33116 About Rami Shapiro ...... 103 e-mail: [email protected]

Thanks to Robert and Holly Schwartztol for their generous contribution in support of Simply Jewish Foundation publications. About the Sh’ma Center ...... 104

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2 3 Introduction

Elul is the Hebrew month preceding Rosh haShanah. For cen- turies, the 29 days of Elul have been coupled with the Ten Days of Awe (from Rosh haShanah to Yom Kippur) to create a 39-day period devoted to teshuvah, returning to God, and selichot, requesting forgiveness. The practice intensifies in the week preceding Rosh haShanah, and a special midnight meditation on forgiveness is held the Saturday before Rosh haShanah to remind us of the importance of teshuvah and selichot for ending the old year and be- ginning the new. The Sh’ma Center for Contemplative Judaism offers this Elul Intensive as a support for practicing teshuvah and selichot. The journal contains entries for 39 days plus seven Psalms, one for each day of the week. Each page has two components: a short text relating to forgiveness and the High Holy Days, which is accom- panied by commentary from Reb Yerachmiel ben Yisrael, and the specific assignment to be worked on that day. Space is provided to keep a written account of your experiences.

Selichot/Forgiveness Selichot is our quest for forgiveness. There are four steps to selichot: 1. Honestly admit the harm we have caused. 2. Make amends unless doing so causes further harm. 3. Ask forgiveness from those we have hurt. 4. Turn away from that hurtful behavior and do good. Selichot requires that we speak to people directly and ask them for forgiveness. While we may choose to do this in our own way, the traditional formula for requesting forgiveness is this: If I have hurt you in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, advertently or inadvertently, I ask your forgiveness. 4 5 As we practice selichot, we may discover that some people with Selichot also requires a humbling of ourselves. Recognizing whom we wish to make amends have died. In this case, we can the pain and damage we have caused forces us to reassess any write a letter to them and request forgiveness in writing. The let- claims we may make to righteousness. We like to think of our- ters can then be left at their graveside. If this is not possible, the selves as good and decent, and we tend to overlook those things letters should be sealed in an envelope and saved. we do that may challenge that assessment. Selichot makes no judg- Selichot requires a bold, honest, and nonjudgmental look at ment of our character and does not require us to abandon the no- our behavior and the pain and suffering we have caused over the tion that we are good and decent people. Selichot simply asks us past year. Why nonjudgmental? When we make judgments regard- to do good and decent things. ing the quality of our behavior, we are apt to engage in a conversa- What if the other person refuses to forgive? Ask again. And if tion with ourselves that shifts our attention from admitting guilt to again they refuse? Ask a third time. Our rabbis taught that if after excusing guilt, from taking responsibility to blaming others: “I three sincere attempts to apologize and ask for forgiveness we are would never have said that if she hadn't ... .” When we look at what still unforgiven, we are to consider that our efforts themselves have we have done and the hurt we have caused, we are challenged not earned us forgiveness; we are free from the burden of our past, to judge, but to apologize. even if the other person insists upon clinging to it. We need not let Selichot generates guilt. Many people feel that guilt is a harm- another's refusal to forgive become a stumbling block to our own ful emotion. Judaism disagrees. When we are honest about the moral growth. We admitted our error. We made amends. We asked hurts we have caused, we should feel guilty. We feel guilty be- for forgiveness. We changed our behavior. Nothing more can or should cause our conscience is engaged. We feel guilty because no matter be asked of us. how we try to rationalize our behavior, we know it was wrong. If we wallow in our guilt, we are using it as a narcissistic escape from having to change. But if we honor our guilt as confirmation Teshuvah of the pain we have caused, it then becomes a catalyst for con- structive change. Teshuvah means returning to God and godliness. How is it Guilt leads to contrition. We feel bad and want to make amends. that we became separated from God? In truth, there can be no real Sometimes we can and sometimes we can't. And sometimes even separation from God, for God is everything. We can no more be if we can, doing so would only add to the other person's pain. cut off from God than a wave can be cut off from the ocean. We Selichot practice requires an objective look at what we should and can feel cut off from God, however, when we fail to attend to the should not do to set things right. only place and time that God exists: the Here and Now. God is What can be mended should be mended. What can't be mended Ehyeh asher Ehyeh, That Which is Happening Now. God is never is met with tzedakah. If we can't undo the damage we have done, about the past or the future. God is always about the present. at least we can do some good somewhere else through an act of You and I, however, are not always in the present. We spend financial generosity to those in need. Because we can never be most of our time rummaging through memory that we might im- sure we have recalled and reflected on all the hurt we have caused pose what was on what is, or we are dreaming about the future to during the past year, it is customary during this period to give project what was on to what might be. Whether we are rummaging tzedakah daily. or dreaming, we are not paying attention to the present. It is our

6 7 lack of attention that gives us the feeling of being separate from awake to your unity with God. Practicing teshuvah in this formal God. way will make it easier for you to practice teshuvah in the mo- When we are present to the moment, we notice the truth of ment-by-moment experience of your daily life. that moment—the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual dynamic that is unfolding at that moment. It may be that we have to do something that frightens us, so fear is the truth of the moment. It may be that someone is asking us for advice, so compas- Other Elul Practices sion and objectivity are the truth of the moment. When we know the truth of the moment, we can engage that moment more con- In addition to the practices of teshuvah and selichot, there are a structively. When we know the truth of the moment, we can en- number of other traditions associated with this period of the Jew- gage that moment in a manner that promotes justice, compassion, ish calendar that are used to heighten the importance and serious- and harmony rather than exploitation, suffering, and violence. ness of these 39 days. Throughout our Intensive, make every effort Teshuvah is returning our attention to the present. When we to do the following: bring our attention back to the present, we discover our true nature • Blow the shofar every morning to focus your attention. as God manifest in time and space. Knowing our true nature brings • Recite Psalms every day to open your heart to a yearning for us tranquility. We discover a deep inner reservoir of calm that is return. undisturbed by the storms of life. From this place of calm we are • Make cheshbon hanefesh, a daily moral inventory, before go- better able to engage each moment with honesty and compassion. ing to sleep. How do we practice teshuvah? Observe the workings of your • Practice shmirat halashon (conscious speech) and avoid all own mind. Watch yourself and see when you are rummaging in gossip. the past or daydreaming about the future, and then gently return • Give tzedakah daily. your awareness to what is happening in the present. • Send Rosh haShanah greeting cards and tell people how im- Do not berate yourself for not being present, for this will only portant they are to you. distract you even more. Simply acknowledge that your mind has • Take a walk each day to connect with the world around you. wandered and bring your attention back to the moment. • Do something that makes you happy. It may help to set aside 20 to 30 minutes each day to sit qui- • Learn something new during this period. etly, close your eyes, and observe how your mind generates dis- • Make time each Shabbat for deep rest and relaxation. tractions. Just watch as one thought, feeling, or sensation takes • Do something nice for your body to honor it and dedicate its center stage in your mind. Do not engage the thought, feeling, or actions to the good. sensation, just let it be and observe the constant rise and fall of • Buy something new to wear on Rosh haShanah. mental activity. Imagine yourself to be a vast sky and the thoughts, feelings, and sensation as clouds floating across it. Just as passing clouds do not impact the sky, so passing thoughts need not impact your observing self. Stay as open and as accepting as the sky and in time, your sense of separate self will slip away and you will be

8 9 PRAYER OF INTENT

As you prepare to begin the 39 days of our Elul Intensive, recite the following prayer as a means of clarifying your intent:

May I cultivate the strength to look honestly at my actions. May I cultivate the honesty to admit when I have been wrong. May I cultivate the understanding to know how best to make amends. Elul Journal May I cultivate the courage to ask for forgiveness. May I cultivate the compassion to grant forgiveness when asked. May I cultivate the humility to surrender myself to God. in quest of forgiveness and return May I cultivate the wisdom to know I do this not for myself alone but for all the world. May the coming year be one of sweet delight to all.

10 11 FRIDAY FOR SHABBAT September 1, 2000 Elul 1 Light the Shabbat candles and say: Where the world is dark with illness, let me kindle the light of healing. It is fitting for a great God to Where the world is bleak with suffering, forgive great sinners. let me kindle the light of caring. – Vayyikra Rabbah 5 Where the world is dim with lies, let me kindle the light of truth.

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Better to live boldly and seek forgiveness than to live scared and seek only Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam to placate others. asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik neir shel Shabbat. In the arduous simplicity of this moment, I open my body, heart, and mind to stillness. In the deeper quiet I sense a greater Life that is my life. I do not live only; I am lived. I do not breathe only; I am breathed. I am not only the one I appear to be, but also the One who appears as me.

Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheynu melech ha-olam borei p’ri hagafen. In love, I take upon myself the challenge of Shabbat as a reminder of the purpose of cre- ation. In peace, I take upon myself the sanc- tity of Shabbat as a catalyst for freedom and unity. Overflowing with blessing is the One Who hallows the Shabbat.

12 13 SATURDAY ON SHABBAT September 2, 2000 Elul 2 Make time throughout the day for quiet rest. a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. When one who has hurt Breathe naturally. us sincerely asks for b. Bring your attention to the flow of forgiveness, we are thoughts, feelings, and sensations that obligated to forgive. cross your mind. Do not interact with any – Tanhuma, Vayyera, 30 of these, just watch them as you might watch clouds float across the sky.

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: c. Continue this for 10 minutes at a time. When we ask for forgive- d. What do you notice about the nature ness, most often we are of mind? asking to be excused. True forgiveness is not being e. Where do your thoughts and feelings excused, but being come from? Where do they go? understood. f. Are you your thoughts? Are you your feelings? Who are you?

14 15 SUNDAY Elul 3 September 3, 2000

When we have mercy on another, God has mercy on us. When we have no mercy for another, God has no mercy for us. – Tanhuma, Vayyera, 30

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: God responds to us as we respond to others. Why? Because God is those others.

THE WORK, WEEK ONE Make a list of the most important people in your life, both those who love and support you and those who don’t. You will use this list in different ways over the next few days. 16 17 MONDAY Elul 4 September 4, 2000

Five types of people are hard to forgive: One who sins in many different ways; one who repents and repeats the same sin over and over; one who sins in a sinless age; one who sins with the intent to repent; one who causes God’s Name to be profaned. – Avot de Rabbi Nathan, 39

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: One who sins in many different ways—this one is associated too closely with our pain. One who repents for and repeats the same sin over and over—this one is never taken seriously. One who sins in a sinless age—this one perverts justice. One who sins with the intent to repent— this one seeks to escape responsibility. One who causes THE WORK, WEEK ONE God’s Name to be profaned— Going down the first half of your list, answer the following three ques- this one brings doubt to the tions with regard to each person who loves and supports you (be specific minds of the faithful. in your answers): 1. What has this person done for me this past year? 2. What have I done for this person that was free of any self-serv- ing motive? 3. What trouble or inconvenience did I cause this person during the past year? 18 19 TUESDAY Elul 5 September 5, 2000

Overlook the slights of others, and your own failings will be forgiven. – Rosh haShanah, 17

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: To overlook the slights of others, we seek to see the wound they carry that causes them to act as they do. Discovering that wound arouses compassion in us and reveals our own wounds as well. Recognizing our own wounds, we can control the actions that flow from them. Controlling the actions that flow from them allows us to be forgiven.

THE WORK, WEEK ONE Continue answering the following questions regarding people who love and support you: 1. What has this person done for me this past year? 2. What have I done for this person that was free of any self-serv- ing motive? 3. What trouble or inconvenience did I cause this person during the past year? 20 21 WEDNESDAY Elul 6 September 6, 2000

During a drought, Rabbi Eliezer prayed long for rain, but nothing happened. Rabbi Akiva offered a short prayer, and the rains fell. A Voice from Heaven called out, “Not that Akiva is greater than Eliezer, but Eliezer remembers those who slight him, while Akiva forgets.” – Taanit, 25

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Memories of old hurts block us from fresh encounters. Eliezer’s prayer was long for he had to push through all his pain. Akiva’s was short for he had only to open to God.

THE WORK, WEEK ONE Write and mail a New Year’s card to each of the people you have been writing about over the past two days. Thank the person for all the kindnesses she did for you this past year. Include a request for forgiveness for any pain you may have caused her during the past year. If the person to whom you would write is deceased, write the letter any- way and either place it at the graveside or seal it in an envelope and keep it somewhere safe. 22 23 THURSDAY Elul 7 September 7, 2000

A man traveling on a hot day grew weary and sat down to rest on a rock. A snake slipped toward him, but a gust of wind came, snapped a branch from a tree and killed the snake. When the man awoke and stepped away from the rock, it shifted and slipped off the cliff. Rabbi Abba saw what had happened and asked, “What is your merit that you have been saved from death twice?” The man answered, “I never fail to make peace with those who harm me. I become their friend and repay good for evil. And before I go to sleep, I forgive all who require forgiveness.” Rabbi Abba said, “You are greater than Joseph. He forgave his brothers, but you forgive strangers as well.” – Zohar i, 200-201

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: We may not be able to make peace with all who harm us nor may we always find the courage to return good for evil. But if we could just forgive before we sleep, we, too, would live blessed lives. THE WORK, WEEK ONE Finish writing and mailing the New Year’s cards. 24 25 FRIDAY FOR SHABBAT September 8, 2000 Elul 8 Light the Shabbat candles and say: Where the world is dark with illness, let me kindle the light of healing. On Shabbat, we each receive Where the world is bleak with suffering, an added soul, that we might let me kindle the light of caring. have the strength to uplift Where the world is dim with lies, our thoughts and purify our let me kindle the light of truth. desires. – Betza, 16a

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam The added soul is really the asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu level of consciousness l’hadlik neir shel Shabbat. associated with the world of In the arduous simplicity of this moment, Atzilut, the world of unity I open my body, heart, and mind to stillness. and interdependence. We In the deeper quiet I sense uplift our thoughts and purify a greater Life that is my life. our desires when we no I do not live only; I am lived. longer see ourselves as I do not breathe only; I am breathed. separate from everything else. I am not only the one I appear to be, but also the One who appears as me.

26 27 SATURDAY ON SHABBAT September 9, 2000 Elul 9 Make time throughout the day for quiet rest. a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Those who delight in the Breathe naturally. Sabbath receive their b. Bring your attention to the flow of hearts’ desires. thoughts, feelings, and sensations that – Shabbat, 118 cross your mind. Do not interact with any of these, just watch them as you might watch clouds float across the sky.

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: c. Continue this for 10 minutes at a time. One who delights in d. What do you notice about the nature of Shabbat has only one mind? desire: the desire to delight in Shabbat. e. Where do your thoughts and feelings come from? Where do they go? f. Are you your thoughts? Are you your feelings? Who are you?

28 29 SUNDAY Elul 10 September 10, 2000

The more powerful the person, the more powerful the urge toward sin. – Talmud

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: To become a powerful person requires powerful drives and desires. It is impossible to restrict desire to the good only. When we cultivate desire, we cultivate desires of all kinds. Thus, the more powerful the person, the more powerful the desire for both good and evil.

THE WORK, WEEK TWO Focusing on people with whom you have a strained or troubled relation- ship, answer the following three questions for each person (be specific in your answers). Do this for the first half of your list. 1. What has this person done for me this past year? 2. What have I done for this person that was free of any self-serv- ing motive? 3. What trouble or inconvenience did I cause this person during the past year? 30 31 MONDAY Elul 11 September 11, 2000

If your sins are such that they die when you die, your death atones for your sin. If your sins are such that they live on after you die, your death earns you nothing. – Shabbat 9, 3

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: There are two types of sin. The first harms only ourselves. The second harms others and causes them to sin. When we die, we are not called to account for those sins from which we alone suffered, for they have died with us. But we are called to account for those sins we created that caused others to suffer, for their sin and suffering outlive us.

THE WORK, WEEK TWO Focusing on people with whom you have a strained or troubled relation- ship, answer the following three questions for each person (be specific in your answers). Do this for the rest of your list. 1. What has this person done for me this past year? 2. What have I done for this person that was free of any self-serv- ing motive? 3. What trouble or inconvenience did I cause this person during the past year? 32 33 TUESDAY Elul 12 September 12, 2000

The slanderer must seek forgiveness from the slandered. – Berachot, 31

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Slander is a sin that outlives the sinner. Even if forgiveness is granted, there is still a lingering pain for which no atonement is possible.

THE WORK, WEEK TWO Write and mail a letter to each person you have been thinking about for the last few days, thanking her for all the kindnesses she did for you this past year. Include in the letter a request for forgiveness for any pain you may have caused her during the past year. If the person to whom you would write is deceased, write the letter any- way and either place it at the graveside or seal it in an envelope and keep it somewhere safe. 34 35 WEDNESDAY Elul 13 September 13, 2000

God knew that humanity would sin. That is why God created teshuvah (repentance, returning to God) before God created people. – Otzer Midrashim

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: The power to return to God is older than the inclination to turn away from God. This means that it is easier to return that to leave.

THE WORK, WEEK TWO Finish writing and mailing these New Year’s cards. 36 37 THURSDAY Elul 14 September 14, 2000

Once Rabbi Johanan ben Zakkai and Rabbi Joshua were walking in Jerusalem and came upon the ruins of the Temple. Rabbi Joshua moaned, “Woe unto us, for the place of our forgiveness is gone.” Rabbi Johanan replied, “There is no need for sadness. One avenue of forgiveness was replaced by another. Doing kindness to others is now our way to forgiveness.” – Avot de Rabbi Nathan, 4 THE WORK, WEEK TWO REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: 1. Pay attention throughout the day, looking for and using opportuni- When we sacrificed in the holy ties to do acts of kindness. Make a written note as to how you feel Temple, we gave of what we when doing acts of kindness. Be careful to note all your feelings, had. When we sacrifice both those that reflect the altruism of your soul and those that reflect through kindness, we give from the triumphalism of your ego. what we are. Forgiveness rooted in the latter is greater 2. Write down your answers to the following: than forgiveness rooted in the • When doing something for others, to what extent did you feel former. superior to them? To what extent did you feel you were a better person than most for having done this act of kindness? • What do feelings of ego superiority do to the quality of your kindness? • How might you do kindness for kindness’s sake and not have it connected to any ulterior motive? • Is altruism even possible for people, or are we always involved with some level of selfishness? • Does this matter as long as the kindness is done? 38 39 FREDAY FOR SHABBAT September 15, 2000 Elul 15 Light the Shabbat candles and say: Where the world is dark with illness, let me kindle the light of healing. Shabbat was made for you, Where the world is bleak with suffering, not you for Shabbat. let me kindle the light of caring. – Mechilta on Exodus 31,13 Where the world is dim with lies, let me kindle the light of truth.

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: The Sabbath is made for you that you might know true rest. If you imagine that you were Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam made for the Sabbath, you will asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu turn it into a chore. l’hadlik neir shel Shabbat. In the arduous simplicity of this moment, I open my body, heart, and mind to stillness. In the deeper quiet I sense a greater Life that is my life. I do not live only; I am lived. I do not breathe only; I am breathed. I am not only the one I appear to be, but also the One who appears as me.

40 41 SATURDAY ON SHABBAT September 16, 2000 Elul 16 Make time throughout the day for quiet rest. a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. What was created on the Breathe naturally. Sabbath? Contentment, peace b. Bring your attention to the flow of of mind, and physical rest. thoughts, feelings, and sensations that – Bereshit Rabbah 10,12 cross your mind. Do not interact with any of these, just watch them as you might watch clouds float across the sky. REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: How do we achieve these c. Continue this for 10 minutes at a time. Shabbos gifts? By reversing d. What do you notice about the nature of their order. Rest the body, and mind? you quiet the mind. Quiet the mind, and you will be content. e. Where do your thoughts and feelings come from? Where do they go? f. Are you your thoughts? Are you your feelings? Who are you?

42 43 SUNDAY Elul 17 September 17, 2000

When the Temple in Jerusalem fell, so, too, did the bridge between the Jews and their God. – Berachot, 32b

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: The bridge may have col- lapsed, but the river can still be crossed in rafts. Acts of kindness are the rafts that will take you from self to Self, from self to God.

THE WORK, WEEK THREE Take time today to do the following: a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on your breathing. Breathe naturally. With each exhalation of your breath silently repeat one of these phrases: May I be happy. May I be peaceful. May I be free. b. Continue this three-breath/three-phrase cycle for 10 minutes. c. Write down your answers to the following questions: What do I mean by “happy”? What would I do if I were happy? What stops me from being happy now? What do I need to do to be happy? 44 45 MONDAY Elul 18 September 18, 2000

At the conclusion of the Yom Kippur Musaf service, Rabbi Aha would say, “All of you with little children, go home and feed them, even if they have not asked for food.” – Yoma, 66

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: The little children are the newborn hopes for peace and tranquility that arise during Yom Kippur. Go home and nurse them, lest they starve themselves in some misguided THE WORK, WEEK THREE notion of sacrifice. Take time this evening to do the following: a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on your breathing. Breathe naturally. b. With each exhalation, silently repeat one of these phrases: May I be happy. May I be peaceful. May I be free. c. Continue this three-breath/three-phrase cycle for 10 minutes. d. Write down your answers to the following questions: • What do I mean by “peaceful”? • What would I do if I were peaceful? • What stops me from being peaceful now? • What do I need to do to be peaceful? 46 47 TUESDAY Elul 19 September 19, 2000

On Yom Kippur, in the Holy of Holies, the following prayer was recited: “May it be Thy Will, O Lord, that the coming year have sufficient dew, rain, and shade.” – Vayyikra Rabbah, 17

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Dew refers to the sweet touch of love. Rain refers to the kindnesses we receive from others that allow our hopes to bloom. Shade refers to the security of loving arms that THE WORK, WEEK THREE hold us in times of searing fear Take time this evening to do the following: and pain. a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on your breathing. Breathe naturally. b. With each exhalation, silently repeat one of these phrases: May I be happy. May I be peaceful. May I be free. c. Continue this three-breath/three-phrase cycle for 10 minutes. d. Write down your answers to the following questions: • What do I mean by “free”? • What would I do if I were free? • What stops me from being free now? • What do I need to do to be free? 48 49 WEDNESDAY Elul 20 September 20, 2000

On Yom Kippur, in the Holy of Holies, the following prayer was recited: “May no one find it necessary to accept favors from another. May no one show mastery over another.” – Vayyikra Rabbah, 17

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: May each of us be satisfied with what we have, that we need not put ourselves in debt to others to get what we want. May each of us gain mastery of ourselves, that we need not seek mastery over others. THE WORK, WEEK THREE Take time this evening to do the following: a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on your breathing. Breathe naturally. b. With each exhalation, silently repeat one of these phrases: May my friends be happy. May my friends be peaceful. May my friends be free. c. Continue this three-breath/three-phrase cycle for 10 minutes. d. Write down your answer s to the following questions: • How did I contribute to the happiness of my friends during the past year? • What can I do this year to help increase the happiness of my friends? 50 51 THURSDAY Elul 21 September 21, 2000

On Yom Kippur, in the Holy of Holies, the following prayer was recited: “May You not incline Your ear to travelers who pray for dry weather.” – Vayyikra Rabbah, 17

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Each of us calls to God and asks for what is desired, without thought of how that desire may impact others. Dry weather for a traveler may spell doom for a farmer in need of rain. On Yom Kippur, let us pray this: “Dear God, do THE WORK, WEEK THREE not listen too closely to what I Take time this evening to do the following: pray and do not grant my request until I have had time a. Sit comfortably. to see how my gain may be Close your eyes. another’s loss. And then grant Focus your attention on your breathing. me the courage to withdraw Breathe naturally. my request.” b. With each exhalation, silently repeat one of these phrases: May my friends be happy. May my friends be peaceful. Maymy friends be free. c. Continue this three-breath/three-phrase cycle for 10 minutes. d. Write down your answer s to the following questions: • How did I contribute to the peace of my friends during the past year? • What can I do this year to help increase the peace of my friends? 52 53 FRIDAY FOR SHABBAT September 22, 2000 Elul 22 Light the Shabbat candles and say: Where the world is dark with illness, let me kindle the light of healing. Rabbi Tanhuma asked, “From Where the world is bleak with suffering, what did God rest on the let me kindle the light of caring. Sabbath?” He answered his Where the world is dim with lies, own question, saying, “God let me kindle the light of truth. rested from speaking.” – Pesikta Rabbati, 23,3

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam To truly rest on Shabbat, we asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu must silence the talk of the l’hadlik neir shel Shabbat. mind: “This I want, this I don’t In the arduous simplicity of this moment, want; this I like, this I don’t I open my body, heart, and mind to stillness. like.” In the deeper quiet I sense a greater Life that is my life. I do not live only; I am lived. I do not breathe only; I am breathed. I am not only the one I appear to be, but also the One who appears as me.

54 55 SATURDAY ON SHABBAT September 23, 2000 Elul 23 Make time throughout the day for quiet rest. a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Shabbat is the foretaste of Breathe naturally. Heaven. b. Bring your attention to the flow of – Mekilta to Exodus 31, 13 thoughts, feelings, and sensations that cross your mind. Do not interact with any of these, just watch them as you might REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: watch clouds float across the sky. Heaven is the experience of pure spirit—when body, mind, c. Continue this for 10 minutes at a time. and soul are at rest and allow d. What do you notice about the nature of the pure spirit of God to shine mind? through us. Live each Shabbat as if you were in Heaven, and e. Where do your thoughts and feelings come you will discover that Heaven from? Where do they go? is in you. f. Are you your thoughts? Are you your feelings? Who are you?

56 57 SUNDAY Elul 24 September 24, 2000

On Yom Kippur, in the Holy of Holies, the following prayer was recited: “May You have compassion on those who dwell in the lowlands, that neither sand dunes nor floods turn their homes into their graves.” – Vayyikra Rabbah, 17

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Those who dwell in the lowlands are those living in the grip of depression and despair. We pray that they not become so arid that their hopes turn to THE WORK, WEEK FOUR dust. We pray that they not surrender to the false kindness Take time this evening to do the following: of those who flood them with a. Sit comfortably. words of hope while scheming Close your eyes. to benefit from their pain. Focus your attention on your breathing. Breathe naturally. b. With each exhalation, silently repeat one of these phrases: May my family be happy. May my family be peaceful. May my family be free. c. Continue this three-breath/three-phrase cycle for 10 minutes. d. Write down your answers to the following questions: • How did I contribute to the happiness of my family during the past year? • What can I do this year to help increase the happiness of my family? 58 59 MONDAY Elul 25 September 25, 2000

Once a great boulder fell onto the highway and no one could remove it. The king com- manded that each passerby chip off a piece of the rock. In time, the whole thing was gone. – Pesikta Shuvah, 165a

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Do not imagine that all ob- stacles can be removed by a simple act of will. Some challenges must be tackled a bit at a time. In the end, with patience and perseverance, even the largest stone can be THE WORK, WEEK FOUR reduced to dust. Take time this evening to do the following: a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on your breathing. Breathe naturally. b. With each exhalation, silently repeat one of these phrases: May my family be happy. May my family be peaceful. May my family be free. c. Continue this three-breath/three-phrase cycle for 10 minutes. d. Write down your answers to the following questions: • How did I contribute to the peace of my family during the past year? • What can I do this year to help increase the peace of my family? 60 61 TUESDAY Elul 26 September 26, 2000

One who sins through sight will go blind. – Otzer Midrashim, p, 497

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Those who sin by sight are those who see an injustice and do nothing to set it right. In the end, they are blind to both evil and good and can find no meaning to their lives.

THE WORK, WEEK FOUR Take time this evening to do the following: a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on your breathing. Breathe naturally. b. With each exhalation, silently repeat one of these phrases: May my family be happy. May my family be peaceful. May my family be free. c. Continue this three-breath/three-phrase cycle for 10 minutes. d. Write down your answers to the following questions: • How did I contribute to the freedom of my family during the past year? • What can I do this year to help increase the freedom of my family? 62 63 WEDNESDAY Elul 27 September 27, 2000

One who sins through hearing will suffer through hearing. – Otzer Midrashim, p, 497

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Those who sin through hearing are those who hear the cry of another and do nothing to come to the other’s aid. In the end, they are deaf to everything but the gossip their neighbors spread about them.

THE WORK, WEEK FOUR Take time this evening to do the following: a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on your breathing. Breathe naturally. b. With each exhalation, silently repeat one of these phrases: May my enemies be happy. May my enemies be peaceful. May my enemies be free. c. Continue this three-breath/three-phrase cycle for 10 minutes. d. Write down your answers to the following questions: • How did I contribute to the happiness of my enemies during the past year? • What can I do this year to help increase the happiness of my enemies? 64 65 THURSDAY Elul 28 September 28, 2000

One who sins through the heart will go mad with worry. – Otzer Midrashim, p, 497

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Those who sin through the heart are those who give in to every desire, hoping to find happiness in owning things. In the end, their hearts are filled with the fear of losing all they THE WORK, WEEK FOUR own, and there is no room for Take time this evening to spend 30 minutes or so on the following: happiness in them at all. a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on your breathing. Breathe naturally. b. With each exhalation, silently repeat one of these phrases: May my enemies be happy. May my enemies be peaceful. May my enemies be free. c. Continue this three-breath/three-phrase cycle for 10 minutes. d. Write down your answers to the following questions: • How did I contribute to the peace of my enemies during the past year? • What can I do this year to help increase the peace of my enemies? • How did I contribute to the freedom of my enemies during the past year? • What can I do this year to help increase the freedom of my enemies? 66 67 FRIDAY FOR SHABBAT September 29, 2000 Elul 29 Light the Shabbat candles and say: EREV ROSH HASHANAH 5761 Where the world is dark with illness, let me kindle the light of healing. Where the world is bleak with suffering, The first human was created let me kindle the light of caring. on Rosh haShanah. Where the world is dim with lies, – Zohar iii, 100b let me kindle the light of truth.

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Just as the first human was created on Rosh haShanah, Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam each of us has the opportunity asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu to be recreated on Rosh l’hadlik neir shel Shabbat. haShanah. In the arduous simplicity of this moment, I open my body, heart, and mind to stillness. In the deeper quiet I sense a greater Life that is my life. I do not live only; I am lived. I do not breathe only; I am breathed. I am not only the one I appear to be, but also the One who appears as me.

68 69 SATURDAY FOR YOM TOV September 30, 2000 Tishrei 1 Throughout this First Day of Rosh haShanah, ROSH HASHANAH, DAY ONE contemplate the following: Malchuyot/The Presence of God God is the Source and Substance of all reality. It is fitting for a great God to We are manifestations of God whose purpose forgive great sinners. is to manifest godliness. – Vayyikra Rabbah 5 • What does it mean to be godly? • Where am I achieving this in my life? • Where am I failing? REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: • What can I do this year to deepen the qual- Better to live boldly and seek ity of godliness in my life? forgiveness than to live scared Zichronot/Remembrance and seek only to placate others. The greatest sin is to forget that we and everything else are manifestations of God. • What would your life be like if you knew you were a manifestation of God? • What would your life be like if you could remember that everyone and everything was a manifestation of God? • How is it that you cannot remember this? • What might you do differently this year to remember? Shofarot/Awakening We blow the shofar to return our attention to the present moment. We are rarely present to the moment at hand, but prefer to drift into the past or the future. Yet God is met only in the moment; the Eternal is felt only in the Now. • How is it that you keep falling asleep to the moment? • What might you do to practice teshuvah, returning your attention to the present, one moment at a time?

70 71 SUNDAY FOR YOM TOV October 1, 2000 Tishrei 2 Throughout the second day of Rosh ROSH HASHANAH, DAY TWO haShanah, contemplate the following: I am not my body. I am not my thoughts. Rabbi Berechiah said, “On Rosh I am not my feelings. haShanah it is God’s wish that I am not my story. the hearts of all humanity are I am not my fears. turned toward God in unison.” I am not my dreams. – Y. Rosh haShanah 1,3 I am not my fantasies. I am nothing that rises or falls. I am nothing that births and dies. REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: I am nothing of time or eternity. Do not imagine that Rosh I am nothing. haShanah is for the Jews. It is for I am all. all humankind. It simply comes I am. to them through the Jews. I AM. Who am I?

72 73 MONDAY Tishrei 3 October 2, 2000

One who sins with the mouth will go unheard. – Otzer Midrashim, p, 497

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Those who sin with the mouth are those who spread doubt and gossip among the people. In the end, they are ignored, and even their legitimate calls for justice and heartfelt cries for help go unheard.

THE WORK, WEEK FIVE Take time this evening to spend 30 minutes or so on the following: a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on your breathing. Breathe naturally. b. With each exhalation, silently repeat one of these phrases: Hear O Israel. The Ineffable One is God. The Ineffable One is unity itself. c. Continue this three-breath/three-phrase cycle for 10 minutes. d. Jot down your answers to the following questions: • What does it mean to hear the oneness of God? • What does it mean that God is the Ineffable? • What does it mean that God is one? • What does it mean that God is unity itself? 74 75 TUESDAY Tishrei 4 October 3, 2000

One who laughs at spiritual discipline will receive no compassion. One who scoffs at wisdom will find no cure. – Otzer Midrashim, p, 497

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Those who laugh at spiritual discipline are those who do no kindness. In the end, no kindness is done unto them. Those who scoff at wisdom will find no cure for doubt, and they will live in ever-growing THE WORK, WEEK FIVE terror of death. Take time this evening to spend 30 minutes or so on the following: a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on your breathing. Breathe naturally. b. With each exhalation, silently repeat one of these phrases: Love the Ineffable God With all your heart, With every breath, With all that you have and are. c. Continue this four-breath/four-phrase cycle for 10 minutes. d. Write down your answers to the following questions: • What does it mean to love God? • What does it mean to love God with all my heart? • What does it mean to love God with every breath? • What does it mean to love God with all that I have and am? 76 77 WEDNESDAY Tishrei 5 October 4, 2000

Observe all things and abstain from sin. – Otzer Midrashim, p, 497

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Those who learn to observe the workings of the mind will not be driven by desire. They will watch as thoughts and feelings come and go, and they will discover that only love of others is a lasting good.

THE WORK, WEEK FIVE Sometime this evening, spend 30 minutes or so on the following: a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on your breathing. Breathe naturally. b. With each exhalation, silently repeat this phrase: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. c. Continue this repetition for 10 minutes. d. Write down your answers to the following questions: • What does it mean to love my neighbor? • Who is my neighbor? • In what way do I love myself? • In what way do I not love myself? • How does my loving or not loving myself impact the manner in which I treat my neighbor? 78 79 THURSDAY Tishrei 6 October 5, 2000

It is in everyone’s hand to resist temptation. But if you sin, repent and return and know that forgiveness is yours. – Otzer Midrashim, p. 497

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: Resisting temptation only fuels temptation; the more we say no to desire, the stronger that desire becomes. The wise neither resist nor surrender; they only observe. And if they sin, they admit their error and make amends. In this way they return to God THE WORK, WEEK FIVE and godliness. Forgiveness 1. Imagine that your life this past year was written up as a myth is granted not because of or folk tale to be repeated to children, that they might learn their sin, but as a conse- quence of their return. some important lesson about life and how to live it. • Briefly outline the storyline this tale would follow. • What message does the story impart? • What can be learned from the year of your life just ending? 2. Imagine that the grand themes of your life this coming year are already written up as a myth or folk tale. • Briefly outline the storyline this tale would follow. • What message does the story impart? • What can be learned from the year of your life just begin- ning? 80 81 FRIDAY FOR SHABBAT October 6, 2000 Tishrei 7 Light the Shabbat candles and say: Where the world is dark with illness, let me kindle the light of healing. The light of our life during the Where the world is bleak with suffering, week is different than the light let me kindle the light of caring. of our life on Shabbat. Where the world is dim with lies, – Bereshit Rabbah 11,2 let me kindle the light of truth.

REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: During the week, we shine our light to find our own way. Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam On Shabbos, our light is used asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu to push back the darkness for l’hadlik neir shel Shabbat. others. In the arduous simplicity of this moment, I open my body, heart, and mind to stillness. In the deeper quiet I sense a greater Life that is my life. I do not live only; I am lived. I do not breathe only; I am breathed. I am not only the one I appear to be, but also the One who appears as me.

82 83 SATURDAY ON SHABBAT October 7, 2000 Tishrei 8 Make time throughout the day for quiet rest. a. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. A woman awoke on the Sabbath Breathe naturally. to find a pot of gold next to her b. Bring your attention to the flow of bed. She reached for the pot, but thoughts, feelings, and sensations that it backed away. She tried again cross your mind. Do not interact with any and it moved back even farther. of these, just watch them as you might She decided to leave the pot and watch clouds float across the sky. go to the synagogue. When she got there, she turned around to c. Continue this for 10 minutes at a time. find that the pot of gold had d. What do you notice about the nature of followed her. mind? – Jewish Folk Tale e. Where do your thoughts and feelings come from? Where do they go? REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: f. Are you your thoughts? Are you your feel- We are all like this woman. We ings? Who are you? imagine we must possess that which is precious, when in fact when we let it be, we discover it is as close to us as our own shadow.

84 85 SUNDAY FOR YOM TOV October 8, 2000 Tishrei 9 After lighting the candles of Yom Tov, say: EREV YOM KIPPUR/KOL NIDRE I am empty of permanence. I cannot endure. My days are limited and too few On Yom Kippur, the things to fulfill the desires of my heart. between you and God are I am so small and temporary. forgiven; the things between And yet so important. you and your neighbor are This pile of dust speaks! only forgiven when your This bag of skin thinks! neighbor forgives you. This frail body acts and – Sifra to Ahare makes a difference in the world! What a gift I have been given and what a responsibility. REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: It is easier to gain forgiveness I am nothing and from God than from a yet for my sake did the world come to be. neighbor. Why? God’s only I am nothing and desire is for your happiness, yet because of me, others rise or fall. while your neighbor wants you I am the only me that has ever been. to feel remorse. Whatever I must do, I must do here and now. Whatever gift I am to give, I must give it here and now. Whatever purpose I am to fulfill, I must fulfill it here and now.

86 87 MONDAY FOR YOM TOV October 9, 2000 Tishrei 10 Today, reflect on the following: YOM KIPPUR When I replay the year now closing, my heart shivers. I have caused much pain. Rabbi Jose said, “One who Through thoughtlessness and inconsideration, repents is regarded by God as through wanton disregard one who had sacrificed at the for the feelings of others, Temple.” Rabbi Alexandri added, I have left many I love feeling unloved. “We do not like to use broken I vow this day to speak more softly, vessels, but God loves them.” to do more carefully, – Pesikta Shuva to be more fully what I know I am capable of being: a friend, REB YERACHMIEL TAUGHT: A broken bowl, even when a lover, mended, may still leak. A broken a care giver and heart when healed is stronger a guide. than ever. Open your heart to I vow this day the world and let it break. Open to challenge my own excuses, it still further and you open to to give more of myself and God and let it heal. less to my selfishness.

88 89 PSALMS

It is traditional to read from the Book of Psalms each day of the Elul Intensive. While you are free to choose whichever psalms you want, we have provided interpretive versions of several psalms, assigning one to each day of the week.

If you wish to explore the Book of Psalms for yourself, we recommend two translations—The Artscroll Tehillim [Psalms], which is closest to the original Hebrew, and The Psalms by Steven Mitchell, a beautiful pre- sentation of some of the most powerful psalms.

90 91 Sundays / PSALM 95 Mondays / PSALM 99

Life is all from You and in You: The earth trembles with intimations of God. the valleys, the mountains, The nations quake the shore and the sea. before the One without a flag. And so am I— Our boundaries shatter this fragile reed as the Whole hugs its parts. with beating heart and jumping mind; We scar the earth with barbed lines this thinking bellows and define ourselves within them. breathed and breathing, We label the stranger and mark a friend; all You. God is greater than this. From You comes each God is above our masks and our magic. and to You each returns. God speaks and there are no words. And in between is You as well. God teaches and there are no books. You in anger and God guides and there are no gurus. You in song, God plants justice and we sow discord. You in play and God seeds compassion and we reap anger. You in pain, God extends charity and we shrug indifference. You in danger and No wonder there is trembling. You in salvation, We are frightened, it is all You and not of God but of ourselves. You are all it is. We are frightened not of the One I sing the wonders of all You are but of the many we call them. and the simple truth of You is known. May I make this moment a moment of emptying myself of my self; of exalting the One Who is at the heart of the many; of humbling myself before the One who is all. And in this way will I move beyond fragmentation to the greater unity that is God’s gift and my essence.

92 93 Tuesdays / PSALM 93 Wednesdays / PSALM 16

The earth is secure; Dear God, it is I who imagines her frailty. lift from me this mask of separation; The earth stands firm; awaken me to Life’s grand pattern; it is I who plots her downfall. protect me as I seek Your refuge— She is greater than me, I so fear the letting go that is our embracing. and includes me in a larger scheme. No words can depict You, I am her child all words drive me from You. though not her only child. No thoughts, no theories—idols all! I am her hope Only when my mind is clear though not her only hope. can my heart be filled with I am one she grew the Wonder of You. to see her own face, I would know You if I could stand firm; to know her own mind, but I wobble and doubt and cannot believe to foster surprise. that I can be that which I already am. I am one who can know I am One. At night I am instructed: in drifting thought and twisted dream the Way is shown. You are beside me always, I shall not stumble, for even a fall is a journey and no journey is in vain if I would but take it up wholeheartedly. Help my heart be joyous and my soul exult. I dwell secure in You.

94 95 Thursdays / PSALM 32 Fridays / PSALM 77

Happy are they whose sins are forgiven, Let me silence the Lie Dear God, who break the bonds of habitual evil. and confess the Truth: Your Way is just, Happy are they who harness evil I am neither bad nor good, balanced and blending; and turn it toward good, neither satan nor saint— suffering is Your Way, and also love. who deceive neither self nor other, but a blend of both: It cannot be other than It Is but welcome both with a person conflicted and confused. other than You Are mercy and compassion. other than I Am. Let me confess and accept, I know I have sinned, and I will find Suffering and Joy—twins! but I fear to speak— the strength to repair Terror and Tears—twins! will not my admission mock me, what I have damaged; Pain and Mercy—twins! will I not become my own Adversary? the skill to mend You and I— Yet my silence is a burden, what I have torn; Your Way is Wonder beyond words! my guilt chokes me, the compassion to heal Your Presence fills all my very being weighs heavy what has been hurt. and is known by none. and I no longer smile. Let all who seek the Way learn this: The oceans behold You and tremble. I groan with the weight of it, that when misfortunes befall you, The clouds see You and spill forth their rain. but I fear to speak— accept them; Your thunder deafens. not even to You, if they come as a mighty wave, Your lightening blinds. especially to You. bend to them; Nothing can point and say: if you let them come, Day and night I struggle to be There is God! they will let you go; who I imagine I am supposed to be For where are You not? if you seek to stay them, without really knowing who in fact I am. they will stay, Your Way is no way. I fear that I know, and you will drown in a pool of Your Path is no path. or I know that I fear despair. that I am wicked and selfish and far Your Way, all ways. from the One that pretends to be other. You are my shelter, my True Self. Your Path, all paths. You preserve me from distress The effort drains me, Your Place, and surround me with joy— I am forever tired and despairing. all place but only if I admit and accept who The lie shrivels me, my place, I am I am a leaf without branch, this place. and what I do. dry and shivering in the wind. O let me admit my failings, and accept my guilt.

96 97 Shabbat / PSALM 150

Praise Life! Even now the depth of sin escapes me. Praise Wonder! There is more darkness than look and see the feeble candle of forgiveness can listen and hear, erase. taste and touch and smell Yet by its light I see my place the awesome simplicity of This. where I stand and where I might next step. Praise Life! It is enough. in sacred places. Praise Life! To step one step through just acts to turn one turn and compassionate deeds. this time Praise Life! Now. with upbeat horn, Yes there is pain. lilting harp, Yes there is hurt. entrancing lyre. And there is redemption. Praise Life! With the pain. with drum and dance, With the hurt. violin and flute, There is redemption. clashing cymbals. Who can straighten what has been Let all that breathe crooked? breathe praises! I cannot, though I so wish it otherwise. Breathe in psalms, But otherwise has trapped me too long. breathe out hymns. Now is the time of arising. Breathe and sing Now is the time of awakening. and let joy resound Now is the time of doing: within you not straightening and without you. but no more twisting; I sing to Life not forgetting with my life; but at last forgiving. I sing a new song each day, every moment. And to that I say: Amen.

98 99 How might I have made the world a little less kind or just today? CHESHBON HANEFESH

A DAILY MORAL INVENTORY Before going to sleep each night, it is traditional to review the moral quality of your day. Your goal is to identify and decide how to correct any mistakes you may have made or hurt you may have caused, as well as to recognize and cel- ebrate the good you have done. Copy this form and use it each night of the Elul Intensive. Based on the mistakes I made today, if my day were to be reduced to a headline in tomorrow morning’s newspaper, how might it read? What good did I do today?

To whom do I need to say “thank you” tomorrow? How have I made the world a little kinder or more just today?

To whom do I need to apologize to tomorrow? Based on the good I did today, if my day were to be reduced to a headline in tomorrow morning’s newspaper, how might it read?

If there were one thing I could do differently tomorrow to make it a better day than today, what would that be? What mistakes did I make today?

100 101 ABOUT RABBI RAMI SHAPIRO

Rami Shapiro is widely regarded as one of the most creative voices in contemporary American Judaism. He is an award-winning poet and essayist whose liturgies are used in prayer ser- vices throughout North America. He has written more than a dozen works of poetry, liturgy, short story, and non- fiction. His most recent books are Wis- dom of the Jewish Sages, Minyan: 10 Principles for Living Life with Integ- rity (both from Bell Tower/Random House), and The Way of Solomon (Harper San Francisco). A graduate of the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and Union Graduate School, Rabbi Rami directs the Sim- ply Jewish Foundation (www.simplyjewish.com), the What Would a Mentsch Do® Project (www.wwmd.org), and the Sh’ma Center for Contemplative Judaism. He is a much sought after speaker, workshop facilitator, and retreat leader who can meaningfully ad- dress audiences as diverse as early childhood educators, rabbis and cantors, community leaders, and executive-level managers of major U.S. corporations. Rabbi Rami’s overriding passion is for Judaism as a means to d’vekut, awakening to the supreme identity of woman, man, nature, and God. As a congregational rabbi for more than 20 years and a leadership coach and management consultant for more than 15, he has brought his entrepreneurial spirit to bear on Jewish life, thought, and spiritual practice to help Jewish leaders and their in- stitutions create a Jewish spiritual renaissance in the 21st century. Rabbi Rami can be reached by phone at the Simply Jewish Foundation—305/382-6680 or by e-mail at [email protected]/.

102 103 ABOUT THE SH’MA CENTER

Jews and Judaism have entered a period of rapid and inevi- table change. We are moving from an era devoted to the physical survival of the Jew to one dedicated to the spiritual survival of Judaism. This era calls for deepening the spiritual dimension of Jewish life through contemplative practice and personal transfor- mation and a systematic adaptation of ancient texts, teachings, and practices to meet the needs of modern life. In response to this call, Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro founded the Sh’ma Center for Contemplative Judaism in the autumn of 1999. Its mission is to • teach meditation as a means to deepening our connection with God; • promote Jewish spiritual practice; • provide spiritual mentoring for religious seekers; • offer quality adult education in religion, spirituality, and healing; and • train rabbis and Jewish educators in the tools and techniques of contemplative Judaism. With the help of a generous grant from the Nathan Cummings Foundation, the Sh’ma Center offers meditation experiences, classes, Shabbaton programs, and periodic retreats. In addition, Rabbi Rami maintains an active travel schedule to present his courses and ideas to audiences around the country.

Why do we do it? We believe that Judaism offers a powerful and practical spirituality uniquely suited to life in 21st-century America. We believe that people from all faiths and backgrounds can benefit from and deepen their spiritual connection to God through the practices of Judaism. We believe that we can help revive American Jewish spirituality through our programs and meditation sessions, one breath at a time.

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